CVS/pharmacy customers have come to expect great service in the pharmacy and a broad range of offerings in the front of the store. In an increasing number of locations, we're giving people yet another reason to stop in. Nearly 500 of our stores in 25 states now feature a MinuteClinic, the U.S. leader in retail-based health clinics.

More than 1.5 million people have visited MinuteClinic since its founding in 2000, and we've been busy opening new locations since purchasing the company in 2006. Staffed primarily by nurse practitioners and physician's assistants, MinuteClinics treat a limited number of common ailments and offer routine vaccinations. They are also open seven days a week and never require an appointment. As a result, MinuteClinics provide an ideal solution for professionals and parents with busy schedules, anyone whose doctor isn't immediately available, or people who want to avoid visiting an emergency room for minor ailments.

MinuteClinics will play an increasingly important role in CVS Caremark's drive to lower the cost of health care for insurance plans and self-insured employers. Each location provides quality care at a price that is more affordable than the typical visit to the doctor's office or emergency room. Of course, when patients have conditions that require a doctor's care, MinuteClinic refers them to their family physician or provides a list of area doctors if they don't have one. We are exploring ways of making MinuteClinic part of Caremark's PBM coverage - an important advantage in the marketplace - and have already launched pilot programs that incorporate it for selected payors. For example, new biometric screening services will facilitate proactive early interventions for plan members with undiagnosed diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. That should lead to improved health and lower medical costs over time.